Quick Travel Trips

Monday, January 10, 2011

1. Kolmanskop, NamibiaBefore you enter this abandoned mining town in the Namib desert, you'll need to stop in nearby Luderitz for a permit -- a holdover from the days when Kolmanskop was a free-for-all for diamond hunters. The town was at its heyday in the 1920s but abandoned in 1956. It has since been partly restored.

2. Fatehpur Sikri, India

Built by Emperor Akbar to be the most beautiful city in the world, it was widely thought this goal was achieved -- until people realised the city lacked access to water. It was abandoned as the capital of the Mughal Empire after just 10 years and is today a perfectly preserved 16th-century town.

3. Oatman, Arizona, United StatesOf the Arizona ghost towns, quirky Oatman has to be among IgoUgo members' favourite. It's here where wild burros roam the streets and $60,000 bills decorate the walls of the local hotel, where, incidentally, Clark Gable and Carol Lombard spent their wedding night.

4. Deception Island, Antarctica

A regular stop on Antarctic sailings, Deception Island was a popular place for scientific outposts until several volcanic eruptions destroyed the bases in the 1960s. Today you can see their remains, plus swim in hot springs.

5. Rhyolite, Nevada, United States

Gold was discovered here in 1904, and within 16 years, the town had thrived and fallen into disrepair. Today the most complete building in town is constructed of 30,000 beer bottles and the only residents -- besides those in the ghostly Last Supper art piece -- are the slithering, crawling variety.

6. Arltunga, Australia

A favourite part of this old Outback mining town (and early European settlement) is the "loneliest pub in the scrub", also known as the Arltunga Hotel. It's an ideal place for lunch or a cold beer before or after exploring Arltunga which was born out of a gold rush.

7. Grafton, Utah, United States

Founded for its fertile land and abandoned largely due to conflicts with Native Americans and flooding, Grafton is most famous as the set of the movie "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid". The last residents left in 1944.

8. Stromness, South Georgia Island

A former whaling station, Stromness is even more remote, in a sense, than Deception Island. Get there by trekking across mountains on the famous route of Sir Ernest Shackleton. The station was abandoned in 1961, but the relatively posh managers' "Villa at Stromness" has been repaired in recent years in hopes of providing safe access for the growing number of visitors.

9. Great Blasket Island, Ireland

After its population began to dwindle and the few remaining inhabitants could no longer support themselves, Great Blasket was abandoned in 1953. A combination boat-raft trip takes visitors to Great Blasket today to hike among wild donkeys, sheep, rabbits, and puffins.

10. South Pass City, Wyoming, United States

A ghost town with the illustrious distinction of being the birthplace of women's suffrage in the United States, South Pass City has seen a recent return to semi-glory. Restoration has been done with such authenticity and attention to detail that every one of the 30 historical buildings, containing over 30,000 mostly original artefacts, is a delight to enter and explore.

Friday, November 19, 2010

In Taiwan, pig's blood cake is sold on a wooden stick and eaten like ice cream. Easily found at street markets, it's a sweet treat generally made from pig's blood and rice.

2. Live Octopus; South Korea

Unlike calamari which is dead and still, octopus in South Korea often arrives at the table alive and moving. Connoisseurs of the dish say it's best to eat quickly.

3. Grasshopper; Uganda

Caught during the rainy season and eaten cooked or raw, these are a perennial favorite. Sold with or without wings and legs, they are easily found at the local markets.

4. Pigeon; France

While considered a dirty street animal by many, this poultry dish is an expensive and much-loved delicacy that graces the plates of some of the country's finest restaurants. Considered to have a robust flavor, it still struggles to gain culinary acceptance in much of the world.

5. Durian; Malaysia

Some Malaysian hotels put up signs banning the durian. The ultra-strong aroma of this spiky fruit may turn off tourists, but many Malaysians love its doughy taste.

6. Lutefisk; Norway

Marinated in lye, this gummy fish takes days to prepare and is described as one of the most vile-tasting foodstuffs ever created. In spite of this less-than-tasty reputation, it remains hugely popular in this part of the world.

7. Grubs; Australia

These white, high-in-protein snacks are actually the larvae of moths and an important insect food of the desert, once a staple in the diets of some Aborigines.

8. Snake Wine; Vietnam

Said to have medicinal properties, this strong cocktail is best downed quickly. Not only is it made from snake blood, it's bottled with a snake inside and occasionally other creatures, like scorpions.

9. Donkey; Italy

Sliced and eaten much like prosciutto, this sandwich meat can be found -- and accidentally ordered -- fairly easily in the country's bars.

10. Ostrich; South Africa

Low in cholesterol and considered healthier than other meats, the ostrich is becoming more and more popular all over the world. Everything from ostrich burgers to omelettes made from the bird's eggs are turning up on menus.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Your honeymoon is the symbolic start of your life as a married couple, a chance to relax and enjoy each other after the stress of “the big day.” A little planning will help ensure that your honeymoon is a trip to remember.

1. Lakshadweep islands

The spectacular marine life is worth a watch or sleeping by the sea with only night sky covering you. This place holds the peace and natural beauty like no other place. If you want to have a tranquil beach holiday then this is the best destination. The tourists are attracted by wild sea and the virtuous nature. This place is perfect honeymoon terminus. The romantic ambience attracts lots of newly wed couples.

2. Andaman and Nicobar islands

If you don’t want to follow the rut and are looking for making it perhaps the most memorable event of your life, be selfish and take time off to go to The Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The beauty of the virgin islands has to be seen to be believed and this wonderful yet relatively untapped tourist spot is perhaps the most ideal place for all nature lovers and adventurous kind.

3. Goa

The scintillating combination of Sun, surf, sand and sea makes Goa one of the picture perfect destinations in India. For the romantic start of your life check out: golden Goa. If heaven were a place on Earth Goa would be the destination. If you are looking for a very special place to spend your honeymoon, Goa is definitely the place for you.

4. Kovalam

Kovalam is one of the most beautiful and popular beaches in Kerala. Dreaming of an exotic Honeymoon? Kerala is for lovers, romantics and those in search of a tropical vacation. Cuddle up in a warm beach cottage, dine and vine under the stars, or getaway to your own clandestine vacation hill station with a picnic lunch. Kerala is a perfect place for your island vacation.

5. Srinagar

Srinagar is a big hit with the honeymooners who find the serene environments and the picturesque surroundings at Srinagar very enticing. There’s ‘something’ in the landscapes that makes the couples shed their inhibitions and express their love for each other. No wonder, Srinagar is sometimes called the “Lovers’ Paradise”.

6. Darjeeling

It is the most ideal location for most of you honeymooners to spend some quality time together. The green and cool environment coupled with fresh breeze would definitely make you the happiest couple together in the lap of nature. It is a paradise for the honeymooners. The serenity of the secluded hill stations and the Dooars jungles attracts many honeymoon couples to the region.

7. Jodhpur

To go on Honeymoon in Jodhpur will give a high that you will not experience in any other destination. Jodhpur offers a unique honeymoon experience sans the run-of-the-mill mountains and beaches. If you are a couple who are fascinated by the rustic villages, heritage structures and palaces, Jodhpur is where you want to go.

8. Coorg

Coorg is called as the 'Scotland of India' and 'Kashmir of the South' by the people who have visited it and been enthralled by its beauty. The place is a treat for the eye for the honeymoon goers. It is abundant with green forests, greener coffee estates and pale green rice valleys. The most ideal location for most of you honeymooners to spend some quality time together.

9. Ooty

This place is a tourist delight and honey mooners ever tested destination. The Botanical Garden, full of shady trees, myriad exotic plants and flowers is a treat to watch. Don’t forget to take a snap of you together in this wonderfully maintained place. The place is a paradise and heaven for nature lovers. The place is ideal for honeymooners with its breathtaking scenic beauty.

10. Shimla

Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, is one of the most famous honeymoon destinations in India. Salubrious climate, picturesque locations, serene settings, superior accommodation facilities and convenient location are the primary reasons for the newly married couples to opt for Honeymoon in Shimla.